Author: Mason Kroll

Duluth’s ‘Wild Birds Unlimited’ To Close Storefront, Try Online-Only Business

DULUTH, Minn. – Wild Birds Unlimited, the only bird feeding franchise store in northern Minnesota, is closing its storefront in Duluth next month. But the owners are going to try to keep doing business online. Misty Bristol has owned Wild Birds Unlimited since 2013 in the Burning Tree Plaza. She bought the business from longtime owner Bob Heller, who opened…

Duluth Armory Rehabilitation seeks New Bill

DULUTH, Minn.-A bill to provide funding for the restoration of the Duluth Armory has gained momentum as it went through the House Capital Investment Committee last week. The bill would provide $7.5 million dollars for the development of the mixed-use economic development and cultural center. Built in 1915, the Armory served as a training facility for the Minnesota National Guard…

Earth Rider Bock Fest is Back March 12th

SUPERIOR, Wis.-Earth Rider Brewery in Superior is celebrating the coming of spring with this year’s Bock Fest. The big event is held at the cedar lounge and the earth rider festival field near the north end of Tower Avenue. It’s all about getting out and enjoying a brew with friends and family. The event will include Bock beer poking, Smoke’n…

SkyView Domecar Rehabilitation Project Underway

DULUTH, Minn.-The Northshore Scenic Railroad’s newest train car is getting some major repairs. The SkyView Domecar was bought by the railroad last year and still needs a lot of work to make its first-class space an elegant experience for passengers. The Domecar features seating upstairs in what the railroad likes to call the “treetop level.” On the first level, the…

‘Superior Roux’ Joins ‘Venue in the Park’

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Venue in the Park, a new venture in Superior, is opening its doors for small businesses in the area. The building previously known as the Billings Park Café was purchased by the Sutherland family in an effort to resurrect it as a commercial kitchen rental and event space. Superior Roux, a new pop-up, will be the first restaurant…

Dist. 709 Supt. Talks Central H.S. Property Sale Falling Through

DULUTH, Minn.- On Tuesday, we heard from the Duluth Schools Superintendent John Magas after the sale of Central High School fell through. This past summer, a developer called Saturday Properties from St. Louis Park in Minnesota intended to buy the property for $7.4 million. The company planned to create 400 units of townhomes and apartments from the property, which overlooks…

UWS Hosts International Women’s Day Event

SUPERIOR, Wis.- UWS hosted an event on Tuesday to celebrate accomplishments made by women through social, economic, cultural, and political efforts. There were also tables set up for people to stop by and learn about issues that women still face today, along with a speech delivered by the NAACP Duluth chapter president. One of the organizers talked about what the…

Bent Paddle Celebrates International Women’s Day

DULUTH, Minn.-Tuesday was international women’s day, which recognizes the many achievements of women around the world, and some local businesses got in on the celebration. Breweries are one industry that can typically be male-dominated, but the ownership at Bent Paddle in Lincoln Park is split between a woman and a man. They recognized this day with trivia related to women’s…

Duluth Police Chief Testifies For ‘Statewide Missing And Murdered Indigenous Fund’

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Duluth’s newly created Missing and Murdered Indigenous Fund is gaining attention as the state capitol. Members of the Minnesota House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee met Thursday to hear testimony from members involved with the fund, including Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken. The bill would create a reward fund to help get information and…

Cue The Pipes And Drums! A Sneak Peek Of Friday’s ‘Thistles And Shamrocks’ Concert

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Scottish Heritage Association held a dress rehearsal Thursday night in preparation of its annual Thistles and Shamrocks concert happening Friday. The concert involves the DSHA’s Pipes and Drums Band, the Highland Dancers, and the Celtic Folk group “EIRA”. This event is put on as a fundraiser for the DSHA to perpetuate Scottish culture in Northeast…

Carmody Irish Pub Celebrates Mardi Gras

DULUTH, Minn. – Tuesday is Mardi Gras, the last day before season of Lent begins, and traditionally a day to get in those last fatty foods before 40 days of fasting. Carmody Irish Pub celebrated Tuesday as they do every year with a Polish tradition of having paczki’s in house, a sweet jelly filled donut. Along with that, they were…

Enjoying the Day Out at Hartley

DULUTH, Minn. – With relatively warmer temps Monday, some people decided that it was a perfect time to head outdoors. At Hartley Nature Center, the trails were busy with those out walking, biking, and skiing. With the streets still getting cleaned up from last week’s storm, conditions on the trail were much more inviting for those looking to get out…

Chester Bowl Receives Grant from Bernick Family Foundation

DULUTH, Minn. – Chester Bowl was scheduled to have their Ray E. Wick race Sunday, but it was put on hold due to chair lift complications. Though the race was cancelled, the hill still had a positive day as they were the recipient of the Bernick Family Foundation’s Grant of $25,000 dollars. The foundation felt Chester Bowl was the perfect…

Some Duluth Residents Frustrated By Snow Banks From Plows, Alleys Cleared Later

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Emily Larson previously ended the option for Duluth residents to make special requests for snow plowing, but some residents are still feeling frustrated by the change. Larson said she felt it was time to streamline the snowplowing process so crews could get the job done more efficiently, as the list of special requests became too…

AAD Shriners 12th Annual Winter Wine Down

HERMANTOWN, Min. – It’s been two years since the AAD Shriners last held their annual Winter Wine Down, and the event was back in action Thursday night. Food, wine, beer, and prizes brought people out to the third biggest fundraiser the organization hosts. The event was bigger than ever with 183 different items up for auction and seven food venders…

Household Heating Concerns

DULUTH, Minn. – Experts are warning homeowners to make sure snow isn’t blocking any of your pipes. This is especially a concern when it comes to a home’s furnace. Snow can prevent the furnace from breathing properly. So, experts say to make sure there aren’t any blockages around the PVC pipe. You can also check to make sure the filter…

Time to Stock up on Winter Gear

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Sunday gave us a taste of spring, but we’re not out of the cold stretch yet, and now is a good time to grab discounted winter gear. Northwest Outlet in Superior is making the transition to spring with a winter clearance sale. With supply chain issues being a factor, it’s been difficult to get some items in…

Shoveling Time in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The heavy and wet snow coming down is making it a daunting task for those who have to shovel. In Superior, those out shoveling say it was difficult to even get outside the front door Tuesday morning. Though shoveling can be a back breaking chore, some folks are just happy to have a break from school. “I…

Two-Day Storm Equals Liquor Sales

DULUTH, Minn. – Liquor stores were busy Monday as people were stocking up in preparation of being shut indoors. Lake Aire Bottle Shoppe in Duluth had a busier day than they typically see, with a few hundred customers coming through. Though it was busy, staff say it isn’t unusual for this type of weather. “Snow started hitting this morning and…

Hardware Stores Fully Prepared for Snow

DULUTH, Minn. – With the warm weather on Sunday, some people may have started to think spring is in the air, but winter had other plans Monday. Denny’s Ace Hardware in Duluth was prepared for more snow on Monday, as they were fully stocked with shovels and salt. The business has maintained steady traffic through the winter, providing the essentials…

Busy Snow Plows in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – The snow keeps coming down and it’s keeping the plows busy. Plow trucks were sent out early Monday morning, getting a jump on the storm. Per the city’s snow and ice policy, the focus has been on clearing main streets and will continue to be until the snow ceases. A snow emergency has not been declared yet,…

Champion’s Choice Turkey Calls at the Duluth Sport Show

DULUTH, Minn. – It was the second day of the Duluth Sport Show at the DECC on Friday, and venders there were excited to share their outdoor passions. Champion’s Choice Turkey Calls, a first time vender at the Sport Show is a company who makes custom turkey calls by hand. The booth demonstrated how they work and sound. Owner Anthony…

Yeti Hunt is Back on Saturday, February 19th

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re outside exploring Duluth’s parks this weekend, you may want to watch out for a Yeti. The Yeti Hunt, put on by the Duluth Parks and Rec., is back this Saturday. Clues of where to find it will be posted on the Parks and Rec Facebook event page throughout the day, with the first clue being…

Secret Forest Playschool Embraces the Cold

DULUTH, Minn. – During the colder months, being outside is more essential than being stuck indoors for one local pre-school. Secret Forest Playschool, a play-based nature preschool in Duluth, strives to preserve childhood by letting kids play outside everyday. By being outside, the children are able to learn about the importance of mother nature whether it relates to the sun,…

Hoops International Bonspiel Kick-Off

DULUTH, Minn.- As Olympic curlers take the ice in Beijing, local athletes compete in their own Bonspiel here this weekend. Hoops Brewing’s annual Hoops international Bonspiel kicked off Friday at the Duluth Curling Club as curlers hit the ice in a battle to take home the $4,400 dollar cash prize. After Team Shuster took gold in the 2018 Olympics, the…

Bent Paddle hosts ‘Freshwater’ Pre-Party

DULUTH, Minn.- A new documentary focused on Lake Superior and its waters is set to premier next week, but the crew celebrated the film at pre-party on Friday. 515 Productions held a pre-party at Bent Paddle ahead of next week’s premier of Freshwater. Surfers, scientists, and Duluth business owners gathered around to catch a glimpse of the film for the…

Burn Awareness Week

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday is the start of Burn Awareness week and this year the focus is on cooking safety in the kitchen. The Duluth Fire Department says when you’re cooking, minimize distractions and always check to make sure your oven, stove, or anything else is turned off when you’re done. If you experience a grease fire, never use water…

CherryRoad Media Launches ‘Lake County Press’

LAKE COUNTY, Minn. – Lake County has gotten its journalism voice back with a new weekly paper distributed on Saturdays. This comes after the Lake County News Chronicle shut down in the spring of 2020. CherryRoad Media is behind what’s now called ‘Lake County Press.’ They say they launched the new media outlet after members of the community approached the…

Duluth Public Schools and Marnita’s Table share Community Feedback on School Resource Officers and Safety in Schools

DULUTH, Minn. – Last May, the Duluth School district hired Marnita’s Table to conduct a participatory action research survey to better understand how the community feels about police officers in schools. On Monday, the results of the survey were presented at Fitger’s Spirit of the North Theatre in front of a public audience. Over 500 people responded to the survey…

Wildwoods in Need of Donations

DULUTH, Minn. – The Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation center in Duluth is issuing a call for help after the pandemic to ensure they can keep properly caring for injured and rescued animals. Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation is raising money to expand its outdoor caging area. With the additional space, they would be able to hold more animals in town and properly acclimate…

Yes, Cheese Pop-Up at Bent Paddle

DULUTH, Minn. – Bent Paddle on Friday said yes to cheese, holding a pop-up event for a local dairy-centric business. Yes, Cheese brought a selection of their products for people to try and had boxes available for purchase. These boxes come in a variety of sizes and styles and include meat, crackers, and even some sweets. Yes, Cheese will be…

New Warming Center in Lincoln Park Opens on February 7th

DULUTH, Minn. – On Monday, a new warming center in the Lincoln Park neighborhood will be opening its doors. The new nearly half-a-million-dollar warming shelter in the Lincoln Park Community Center has space for 50 to 100 people depending on staffing. After four years of temporary spaces, officials with the Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority believe they have finally found…

Larsmont Cottages hosts Chinese New Year Meal

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – It’s officially the year of the Tiger as Tuesday kicked off the Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year. The Ledge Rock Grille at the Larsmont Cottages in Two Harbors held a festive meal today in honor of the holiday. Classic Chinese dishes were served up such as pork spring rolls and general…

KYN: The Local Bar and Grille in Ashland is Open for Business

ASHLAND, Wis. – “We are really excited to be a part of the community here,” The Local Bar and Grille co-owner, Bradley Moullet says. A new restaurant in Ashland, Wisconsin is open for business. The Local Bar and Grille opened in December and has taken over a building known for hosting events in the community. “It has a lot of…

Warm Weather Brings People to the Dog Park

DULUTH, Minn.-On Monday, it was a beautiful day to get outside for both people and their pets. Jean Duluth Dog Park found along Jean Duluth Road offers a 3.5-acre fenced in space for people and their dogs to roam and enjoy the fresh air. Greta Borgeson and her dog Remi decided it was a good time to break the routine…

Minnesota Nice Dog Company: Duluth Themed Shirts

DULUTH, Minn. – A local pet-sitting business has started a new venture that’ll also support animals in return. The owner of Twin Ports Pet Sitters has started ‘Minnesota Nice Dog Company.’ It’s an online T-shirt company that gives 5 percent of its profits to animal charities and groups in the Duluth area. The shirts have animal-themed sayings like “Minnesota… Land…